OMAHA — Business owner and political action committee co-founder Denise Powell once again led fundraising in the crowded Democratic field for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.

Combined, the six Democrats running brought in $1.03 million this quarter, hinting at how expensive the primary election will be, and the general to follow.

The race to represent the Omaha-based 2nd District is typically competitive. But with Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon retiring, Democrats feel optimistic about picking up a win in the midterms, when the political party out of power typically gains ground. The open-seat race plays a major role in national Democrats’ hopes of regaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Powell, State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades, Navy veteran Kishla Askins, former congressional staffer James Leuschen and Evangelos Argyrakis are vying to be the Democratic nominee.

Among the best-known local candidates, Powell raised $311,490 in the most recent quarter, Cavanaugh raised $200,164, and Rhoades raised $50,710. Most of the trio’s donations come from Nebraska, according to federal campaign finance reports. 

Among the race’s relatively fresh faces, Askins raised $250,865 and Lesuschen raised $219,369.  Most of Lesuschen and Askins’ donations came from out of state. Both also donated to their own campaigns. Lesuschen donated $7,000, and Askins donated $21,000, forms indicate.

Argyrakis didn’t file campaign fundraising tallies for his Democratic bid. Federal law requires congressional candidates to file campaign finance paperwork quarterly with the Federal Election Commission unless the campaign has not yet raised or spent $5,000.

Multiple campaigns noted that some of Powell’s donations are reserved for the general election and can’t be spent during the primary. A preliminary review showed Powell had raised $620,204 for the primary and $121,025 for the general election.

Powell, as expected, listed the most cash on hand with $481,169. Lesuschen had $211,055, Cavanaugh had $276,120, Askins had $171,394, and Rhoades had $23,112.

The Powell campaign pointed to her fundraising lead as an indicator of her viability and ability to win. Powell spokesperson Meg Mandy said she is the only candidate with the “resources to communicate effectively” and “win both the primary and the general election.”

“I feel very fortunate to have the support of so many hardworking Nebraskans who are central to this movement to win Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District,” Powell said.

Competing campaigns have said Powell, compared to the best-known candidates, will need to spend more money to boost her name ID. She is competing with elected officials in Cavanaugh and Rhoades who have been on local ballots for years.

At least one campaign poll and one publicly released poll indicated Cavanaugh and Rhoades ahead of the others, with Powell leading the next group.

Rhoades, a former Nebraska Public Service Commissioner, is banking on years of service and working on political campaigns as a base for her to build on. She has said she focused first on voter engagement and door-knocking over fundraising.

“I’m confident I’ll have everything I need to be successful,” Rhoades said.

Cavanaugh, a state senator from central Omaha, pointed to his “broad support from labor unions.” He benefits from a well-known name in local politics, partly from his father’s service in Congress. His sister, State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, serves in the Legislature with him.

“We’re building a coalition that won’t just win the primary but will finally flip this seat blue and help us take back power from Trump,” Cavanaugh said.

Askins said she is proud that her campaign is “fueled by people who chipped in what they could because they believe in something bigger than politics.” Leuschen said he was humbled by early support.

Powell, at $170,433, has outspent the other Democratic campaigns combined roughly 1.35 to 1.  Askins had spent $79,470, Rhoades spent $27,598. Cavanaugh spent $10,838. And Leuschen, the most recent entrant, had spent $8,314.

The Powell campaign used some of the money for payroll, general strategy, digital and finance consulting. Cavanaugh paid for digital advertising and campaign consulting. Rhoades paid for printing and compliance consulting. Askins paid for digital consulting and texting. Leushcen paid for photography services and credit card processing.

 The winner of the May 12 Democratic primary will face the winner of a GOP primary featuring Omaha City Council Member Brinker Harding and former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/29/powell-leads-ne-02-dems-in-fundr...